(15 Jun 2026)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 15 June 2026

++STARTS ON A SOUNDBITE++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Patrick Hicks, pool owner, Florida resident:

(Reporter: "The algae is back.")

Hicks: "Exactly. And it's probably never going to go away, regardless of who's president and who's pushing for it. But I like it a little gamey, to be honest with you and realistic. And for me, that's my story. So, gamey is fine, and that's always acceptable to me."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 14 June 2026

2. Wide of ducks swimming by algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 15 June 2026

3. Close of ducks swimming in green reflecting pool water

4. Tilt down from ducks in green water to edge of pool deck

5. Close of algae forming along pool deck walls

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dana Pace, pool owner, Maryland resident:

"And the water in this area is very high phosphate, right. And it is prone to algae bloom. And in order to prevent that, you have to treat it like a swimming pool with chemicals, chlorine, etc. And that's not what this pool was designed for."

7. Mid of National Park Service truck parked near green reflecting pool with cones and pool vacuum visible

8. Couple takes a selfie near green water of the reflecting pool

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Patrick Hicks, pool owner, Florida resident:

"But I knew they were trying to make it blue. And, for me, I think it's an impossible task having a pool myself. I know what it takes and what an environmental wreck is to keep dumping those chemicals in the water to keep it blue. So I was kind of relieved, actually, to see that it was, you know, sort of a natural green. And I could still see the reflection of the Washington Monument in the -- in the pool itself when you stand up at the memorial. So I'm really glad about that."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 14 June 2026

10. Mid of National Park Service equipment on edge of the green reflecting pond with algae visible on the bottom

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 15 June 2026

11. Zoom out on Washington Monument reflected in pool

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Dana Pace, pool owner, Maryland resident:

"Oh absolutely, it was a 100% waste of funds. I do, however, see that the National Park Service is getting some work today, clearing out the algae."

13. Mid of tourists sitting near reflecting pool as National Park Service staff using a pool vacuum to clear out algae

14. Close of pool vacuum skimming surface of green water

15. Mid of National Park Service staff using a pool vacuum to clear out algae

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Patrick Hicks, pool owner, Florida resident:

"I think it's an impossible task to actually expect that to be blue and stay blue. It might -- it may be blue for -- They might be able to get it blue for the 4th of July, but it won't stay that way. I doubt it."

17. Zoom in on green water as tourists take photos on the deck of the reflecting pool

18. Wide zoom in on the green reflecting pool with the Washington Monument in the background

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Patrick Hicks, pool owner, Florida resident:

"I'm glad they're trying, but honestly, I don't think you can fight Mother Nature and the nature of this pool -- Anytime you have an environment that big, that's like cleaning a lake or something else. As long as it doesn't stink, I'm okay. And as long as I can enjoy it and get close, I'm fine with it and happy about it."

20. Pan of from reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial

STORYLINE:

Many pedestrians passing by the reflecting pool instantly noticed the change in color.

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